The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-12-03
A COMMERCIAL RIP-sNoRTER,

' and proprietor of the New Ebeneezer Plo,c Point. It was a weekly publi- cation, and, with its name as we'll as with its class of matter, appealed to the farmers and danced pandering jig to the shrill whistle of their preiu- dices. One day E. Sim Nolan, prom inent man in the community, came into my office and said:
 "I have been thinking of you for the past day or two, and I think that with my keen business instincts have un- earthed the stone with which you may pave your way to fortune. Writing is very fine accomplishment and plays it's little part in journalism, but it is not the main thing Now, the main thing in the newspaper business is to achieve success. How can this be done?' you naturally ask. Not by advising the county to repair the bridge over Cypress bayou; not the editorial advising the party to organ ize, but by getting business. One line in thoroughly thrifty paper is worth more and has more weight than a thousand lines in dragging publica- tion that has to apologize every other week for its inability to get out on time. You want partner, not to help you write, but a commercial rip shorter who can run business into a corner, choke it into submission and then drag it into the office. That's the kind of man you need. Where can find him?' you are about to ask. You have found him, or rather he has found you. l am that man. I am that commercial rip-snorter. l can go out and in two days load the PloU Point SO full of advertisements that you'll have to put up sideboards. What do you think of it?"
 "I have no doubt of your ability" ," I replied, "but cannot afford to pay you"
 "You don't have to pay me. The work will pay for itself. Now here {: say that you are making seventy i've dollars per month. Very well. The commercial rip-snorter comes in. You get one hundred and fifty dollars per month and the com. rip-snorter gets one fifty. Wy, it's as plain and sim pie and guileless as the soft laughter of child. It shall not be for one month but for all time. In short, take me in as a partner. What is the greatest business stimulant? Salary? No, sir. Proprietary interest. Give me a half interest in your paper and it will fly higher than the kite of Frank lin. It will roar louder than a cyclone and scatter dollars where we can cas- fly gather them up. AS rule, am not an enthusiast. Ordinarily am a quiet man. The soldier is quiet until his grand occasion comes"
 told him that I would think about it and give him an answer on the fol- lowing day. That afternoon I con- suited with several friends. The county judge declared that when Nolan put his shoulder to the wheel the wagon moved. The county attorney said that could well afford to pay Nolan to take half interest. That night went to bed in a highly agreeable state of mind. The clouds were break ing away and could see the sun shining. The business cares of the office would be lifted off my mind and I could devote myself to writing and to study. With nothing to do but to digest my subjects, could write edi- itoriais that would establish me as party leader. dreamed of web per- fecting presses and of being consulted by great politicians. I hummed . tune before breakfast. The trade was soon consummated and, deliver ing the books to Nolan, I seated my self in my inner sanctum, warmed by . stove pipe which came through from an adjoining shed occupied by shoe maker, and gave myself up to deep thought. At last my time had come.